Network Device Pause Request Delay Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network devices face inefficiencies in data transmission due to premature pause requests based on incorrect assumptions about receive buffer capacity, leading to underutilization of buffer space and suboptimal data transfer.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a network device receives a data transmission pause request and determines if the destination device can receive additional data within a fixed quanta based on remaining buffer capacity, delaying the pause to transmit more data when capacity is available, thereby optimizing data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a network device immediately implements a transmission pause request upon receiving it, then the receive buffer capacity is protected from overflow, but data transmission efficiency deteriorates due to premature pausing when buffer space is still available
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitting device performs preliminary assessment of the receive buffer capacity before implementing the pause request. It calculates whether additional data can be transmitted within a fixed quanta period based on the remaining buffer capacity, and only pauses transmission if the buffer is truly full or near-full. This preliminary check prevents premature pausing while still protecting against buffer overflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The pause implementation is made dynamic rather than static. Instead of immediately pausing upon receiving a pause request, the device dynamically evaluates the current buffer state and transmission context to determine whether to delay the pause. This dynamic approach allows transmission to continue when buffer space permits, optimizing throughput while maintaining buffer safety.
2Productivity
If a network device delays transmission pause to send additional data, then data transmission efficiency improves by utilizing available buffer capacity, but the risk of buffer overflow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device continuously monitors the receive buffer capacity and uses this feedback to make informed decisions about transmission pausing. By calculating the remaining buffer capacity and comparing it against the data that would be transmitted within a fixed quanta, the device receives real-time feedback on whether delaying the pause is safe, thus preventing overflow while maximizing throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The implementation changes the parameter of pause timing from a fixed immediate response to a variable delayed response. The pause is delayed by a calculated duration (within a fixed quanta) based on the current buffer state, allowing additional data to be transmitted. This parameter change enables the system to adapt transmission behavior to current conditions, improving efficiency while maintaining safety margins.
3Reliability
If a network device assumes the receive buffer is full when a pause request is received, then buffer overflow is prevented, but buffer underutilization occurs reducing overall network performance
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of immediately assuming the buffer is full upon receiving a pause request, the device performs a preliminary calculation to determine the actual buffer capacity status. It assesses whether the buffer can accommodate additional data within a fixed quanta period before making the pause decision, thereby preventing the incorrect assumption that led to underutilization while still preventing overflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/protocol-mandated immediate pause response with a software-based calculation and decision-making process. Instead of blindly following the pause request, the device substitutes the automatic immediate-pause mechanism with a computational assessment of buffer capacity, allowing it to make more intelligent decisions about when to actually pause transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for maximizing data transmission between a first network device and a second network device connected to a network, is provided. A data transmission pause request received from a port of the first network device by a port of the second network device. The process then determines if the first network device's port can receive additional data; and transmits additional data to the first network device from the second network device if the first network device's port can receive additional data.